Treatment of First Nation's People and Residential Schools
We watched the video below, and then discussed the ways in which early explorers (and eventually the Canadian government) treated the First Nation's people.
Some examples of poor treatment of the First Nation's people:
- no gatherings or group meetings were allowed
- a new religion was strictly enforced on them, and they were not permitted to practice their own beliefs
- the government passed laws restricting hunting and fishing of them
- they were not allowed to leave their reserves without special passes
- the government passed laws that stated the First Nation's people could be forcibly kicked off their reserves if the government wanted to
- it was made illegal to wear "costumes" or to "dance" in public
- children were taken from their parents, and not allowed to see their families
- the goal was assimilation (removing everything about their previous culture and beliefs, and forcing them to become the "proper" Canadian citizen) so the children were taken from their families, given new names (or simply given a number to be addressed by), and abused for breaking rules or speaking their native language
- the boys were forced to learn how to be farmers, with the girls being taught only "how to become a good house keeper"
- the mortality rate over a 5 year span was 30-60%
- the parents were sent to jail if they refused to send their children to the schools
Current Emergency Situation in Attawapiskat
We then watched the video below, regarding the living conditions of Attawapiskat (native reserve in Northern Ontario), and the scarily high recent suicide rate among the First Nation's people living there.
Journal Entry
Choose one of the two options below, and write a 1 page (double spaced) journal entry responding to it.
- Why is it important to learn about Residential schools and the treatment of First Nation's people? What should be done for the First Nation's people to help, or attempt to "fix" this?
- Why is it important to care and learn about the Attawapiskat suicide rates happening recently? What can be done to help stop this?